White Noise

​WHAT DID YOU SAY??!!??

There are many milestones that we meet along the way – significant birthdays and anniversaries, advances in school and employment and memorable family events. But nothing quite prepares you for the milestone that is…..HEARING AIDS!

Now – there is a minefield if ever there was one!

And just to clarify - it wasn’t me who woke up one day and decided that was the day….it was my darling grandkids! (How quickly they turn once they reach independence!) They said they were tired of repeating themselves (Where’s that ever-looping tape I made – “make your bed” “let me know when you get to the Mall” “NO!”) - and I said I was tired of them mumbling all the time (a frustration second only to snapchatting)! It was the epitome of a good old-fashioned Mexican standoff.

I have always had trouble hearing with my right ear. I had an abscess burst in my ear when I was a kid – and so far, I think I compensated for it pretty darn well. Sure, sometimes the TV might have been a bit loud and, sure, I did say ‘what’ - a lot. But the kids do mumble!More to prove the point that after living with my bum ear for over 60 years, I was perfectly fine - I conceded to go have a hearing test. After all, the test was free and I had some time to kill - so let’s get this settled!

The first thing I learned – and this is important – make sure the person you see is a registered Audiologist and that the company is not one-supplier-based. You need to feel comfortable enough to ask as many questions as you have and you need to feel comfortable enough to show your negativity about this whole scenario – after all – a hearing aid puts you one step closer to that banana peel…

The first place I went to did not give me that warm and fuzzy feeling. So – when I got home I did some internet searching. I found a place that instinctively felt good and called them – asked questions for 20 minutes – made an appointment (no problem switching suppliers in mid-stream) – had the revealing hearing test - and after waiting a couple of weeks for the aid that was being made to fit my ear - WOW – I can hear. Perfectly. (Sometimes a bit too well!)I love my hearing aid - and only wish I had done it sooner!

Instead of making me feel that the inevitable end was creeping closer - it has made me feel more connected to the world around me. Bring on the mumbling grandkids!!